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2010 Recap
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Brad Nurski,
2010 Missouri Amateur
Champion |
Brad Nurski wins 2010 Missouri Amateur - 2 up
36 hole final
Sunday, June 27
Twin Oaks CC
Springfield, Mo
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Springfield, MO - Twin Oaks CC - Brad Nurski, St. Joseph, MO will square off against Matt Miller, Eldon, MO for the Missouri Amateur Championship on Sunday Twin Oaks Country Club in Springfield, MO. Nurski defeated defending champion and 2-time past champion, Skip Berkmeyer to advance to his first Amateur final. Miller eliminated the last remaining local Springfield player in Kevin Kring to earn his spot alongside Nurski on Sunday.
Nurski's had his share of close calls in Missouri Golf Association events. Two years ago, playing in the Missouri Mid-Amateur Championship at Kansas City Country Club, Nurski lost to friend and fellow St. Joe native, Brian Haskell in a playoff. Just last year, Nurski again lost in a playoff in a Missouri Golf Association major championship. This time it was the Missouri Stroke Play Championship at Dalhousie Golf Club and it was none other than Matt Miller who kept Nurski from winning his first major championship. Nurksi considers the Missouri Amateur Match Play Championship as his favorite and is looking to not add a fifth runner-up finish to his total in Missouri Golf Association major championships, "this is the most fun tournament for me to play in," said Nurski. "I schedule my vacation for this week every year and it would be my greatest golf accomplishment to win."
Before knowing he would be facing Nurski in the semi-final, defending champion Skip Berkmeyer referenced how well Twin Oaks Country Club set up for Nurski and even considered him the favorite as the elite eight headed into Saturday play. Nurski acknowledged Berkmeyer's kind words, "Obviously it is a great compliment to receive comments like that from a person with his experience. But even knowing that I still have to go out and make good shots and make a few putts."
It's long week for the players making it out of stroke play qualifying on Tuesday and Wednesday and then to advance through five matches over a period of three days. And yet, a 36-hole final match still remains for the players on Sunday to decide the Missouri Amateur Champion. It's understandable if the players are a bit tired and mentally exhausted. Matt Miller commented after winning his semi-final match against Kevin Kring, "I'm feeling pretty good right now just because of the excitement of winning the match. I'm sure I will crash as soon as I get back home." Miller has good reason to crash as he not only played in the scorching heat on Saturday, winning matches against the likes of Jace Long and Kevin Kring, but he carried his clubs the entire day. "The last couple of days weren't too bad because I had my brother caddying for me, but today he had to go back home to be in a wedding so I carried my own bag all day today." Miller's brother will be returning on Sunday to loop for the Central Missouri State University golfer as he looks to add a Match Play title to his 2009 Missouri Amateur Stroke Play victory.
Not only did Miller have to endure the heat and competition without a caddy on Saturday, he also found himself playing an "away" game during his semi-final match against Springfield native and University of Colorado golfer, Kevin Kring. "My mom was here with me and watching and on the 3rd hole today I told her it was me and her against Springfield," in response to the gallery on hand supporting their local player. Kring grew up playing at Twin Oaks Country Club and understandably garnered the galleries support. However it was Miller who persevered and advanced to the Sunday final and he's excited to have a few more supporters in the gallery. "My brother who was at the wedding is with a lot of my golfing buddies so they have been checking in to see how I was doing. I think some of them will be coming tomorrow," said Miller. While having his buddies in the crowd will be nice, it's his father that may give Miller the extra boost of energy needed to get past his opponent on Sunday, "Also my Dad may come to watch so that would be huge since he has never played golf a day in his life and has only got to see me play 2 or 3 times." Miller continued, "He is going to take some time out from doing hay at the farm so I'm going to make sure I make it worth his while to come watch me."
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Championship Facts
103rd Missouri Amateur Championship June 22-27, 2010 Twin Oaks Country Club, Springfield, Missouri
WHO CAN PLAY - Entries are open to male amateur golfers who play at clubs or courses who are members of the Missouri Golf Association with a certified handicap index of not more than nine (9.0) on the USGA men's handicap system.
Those players not on the USGA GHIN handicap system must produce a copy of their current handicap card showing both index and date of revision to the MGA office.
ENTRIES – Entrants including exempt players shall apply on MGA forms. *A $140 entry fee shall be paid by every applicant in the Championship.
*Entry fees for 2010
Qualifying Round fee: $100
Championship fee: $40
Last Chance Qualifier: $40
Entry Deadline: May 10, 2010
QUALIFYING ROUND INFORMATION
REFUNDS - Cancellations before the close of entries will be refunded less a $30 fee. No refunds after the deadline date.
CADDIES/CARTS - Each player may walk or ride on a cart during the practice round and the 36 hole qualifying rounds only. A caddie may be used at any time during the Championship and the caddie may ride, however the participant must walk during the match play portion of the Missouri Amateur Championship.
SCHEDULE - Competition will be in two stages:
1. QUALIFYING ROUND - 18 hole stroke play.
2. CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDS - 162 qualifiers with exemptions.
(A) STROKE PLAY - 36 holes stroke play to determine 64 players for match play. A tie for 64th place shall be decided immediatly by a hole-by-hole play-off.
Monday - June 21
Practice round
Tuesday - June 22
First round, 18 holes
Wednesday - June 23
Second round, 18 holes
Cut to 64
(B) MATCH PLAY - General numerical draw will be used. Players can not ride in carts during Match Play.
Thursday - June 24
AM - First round, 18 holes
Friday - June 25
AM - Second round, 18 holes
PM - Third round, 18 holes
SATURDAY - June 26
AM - Fourth round, 18 holes
PM - Semi-final round, 18 hole
SUNDAY - June 27
Final, 36 holes
EXEMPTIONS: Players in the categories below shall be eligible for exemption from pre-qualifying.
1) All former Missouri Amateur Champions.
2) Top 12 players from 2009 MGA Points lists:
Jace Long, Brian Haskell, Chris Johnson, Will Harold, Skip Berkmeyer, Brad Nurski, Darren Lundgren, Matt Miller, Scott Hovis
Brevin Giebler, Aaron Murphy & Dalton Owens.
3) All 2009 MGA individual Champions:
Junior Amateur - Ryan Zech
Junior Match Play - Chris Martin
Amateur - Skip Berkmeyer
Stroke Play - Matt Miller
Senior Amateur - Scott Edwards
Mid Amateur - Brian Haskell
PRIZES - Winners Missouri State Championship ring, appropriate silver and the Traveling Trophy for one year.
Runner Up & Semi Finalists - Silver
Lowest Qualifying Score - Silver
Those players making match play - gift certificates.
NO OTHER REMUNERATION - By his applicaiton, an entrant certifies that he is not entitled to remuneration of any kind for participation in the MGA championship other than the aforementioned prizes.
Hotel - The Drury Hotel is the official hotel for all MGA events.
Click here for room reservations and hotel information
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